When the blood supply to the heart is interrupted, this slowly damages the heart muscle. As plaque ruptures and forms blood clots in the coronary artery, the heart doesn’t receive enough oxygen and nutrients. Known as myocardial infarction, a heart attack can be a fatal conclusion to a problem that develops over the years.
1. Blood clots are the cause of a heart attack
It all starts with having too much cholesterol in the bloodstream. The excess cholesterol sticks to the inner lining of the arteries, forming a deposit called a plaque. In time, these plaques rupture and favor the apparition of blood clots. Blood clots can block the coronary arteries, meaning they prevent the blood supply from reaching the heart. As this happens, the heart’s muscle becomes weaker and weaker.
2. Blockages can be partial or complete
The medical term for a partial blockage is a non-ST elevation myocardial infarction, while a complete blockage is known as an ST-elevation myocardial infarction. The diagnosis and treatment for each of them might be different but varies from one particular case to another.
3. Illicit drugs are a risk factor for heart attacks
Naturally, there are plenty of other risk factors that could trigger a heart attack, such as:
- Smoking, because tobacco damages the inner lining of the coronary arteries, which can trigger plaque formation because it paves the way for cholesterol deposits to stick to the artery walls.
- Hypertension, because the extra force exerted on the artery walls can also damage them.
- Hypercholesterolemia, as high cholesterol levels in the bloodstream are the main cause of coronary artery disease, which is a risk factor for heart attacks.
- Diabetes, as elevated blood sugar levels can also cause a heart attack.
- A sedentary lifestyle, because exercise is an important part of having a healthy heart, plus it also helps get rid of extra pounds (obesity is another risk factor for heart disease).
- Metabolic syndrome, which is a combination of hypertension, obesity, and high blood sugar levels.
- Having a family history of heart attacks, particularly at ages below 55.
- Mental factors, including stress and anxiety, because they indirectly affect your physical health (for instance, stress can cause blood pressure levels to rise).
- Age, as women above the age of 55 and men above 45 are more likely to have a heart attack compared to younger adults.
4. You can survive a heart attack, but with complications
Not all heart attacks are fatal, particularly when medical interventions is offered soon after the first signs. However, even people who survive a heart attack can end up having a series of other complications, including:
- Arrhythmias. This is the medical term for abnormal heart rhythms.
- Sudden cardiac arrest. This causes the heart to suddenly stop.
- Heart failure. Even a single heart attack can permanently damage the heart tissue, which makes the heart weaker and less capable of pumping blood.
5. Angina is the most common warning sign of a heart attack
Generally speaking, there are two types of angina.
- Stable angina, which is predictable, occurs mostly when you’re performing activities that require the heart to pump more oxygen, and doesn’t usually last longer than five minutes.
- Unstable angina, which can occur both when you are resting and exercising, can last as long as 30 minutes, and can’t be predicted.
Stable angina is something that most people keep under control with medication, but unstable angina might be a warning sign for a heart attack. Unstable angina requires immediate medical attention, as it can save your life.
6. Not all heart attack symptoms symptoms are the same for everyone
It’s true that certain signs may indicate that a person is having a heart attack, but not all heart attacks have the same symptoms. The intensity of the symptoms can also vary from one case to another.
Even angina, which is the most common sign of a heart attack, is experienced differently by individuals; for some, it’s an aching sensation in the chest area, while others feel it as a form of intense pressure. But, most importantly, people can have a heart attack without any symptoms.
Other symptoms of myocardial infarction include fatigue, cold sweat, dizziness, shortness of breath, nausea, indigestion, or pain in the abdomen.
7. Take medication while waiting for an ambulance
If you have a nitroglycerin prescription, take it while you wait for the ambulance. In some cases, aspirin during a heart attack is also a good idea. Aspirin in a blood thinner, but it does interact with a series of other meds, so avoid taking it unless your doctor told you it’s OK. Regardless of whether you can take a pill or not, the first thing to do is always call emergency help.